International

Pope Francis says becoming pope made him less rigid and more merciful

Pope Francis said the goals he has achieved in more than nine years as pope were simply the fruit of the ideas discussed by the College of Cardinals prior to his election. In an interview with Argentine news agency Télam published July 1, the pope said that objectives, such as the reform of the Roman […]

Nigerian bishop says country ‘worse off’ now

While the Catholic Church continues to play its part in helping people in Nigeria, the policies of the current government obstruct a clear path toward peace and reconciliation between Christians and Muslims, said Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto, Nigeria. Addressing a virtual conference on peacebuilding, hosted by the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies […]

I Plant Secret House Churches Because I Was Saved into One

“I was raised in a Muslim family in Tehran, Iran. My mother was a teacher and the principal of an elementary school. She knew a lot about Islam and did her best to follow its teachings. She helped me learn to read the Qur’an, taught me to pray at least three times a day, and encouraged […]

Pope: Catholic, Oriental Orthodox should look at more sacramental sharing

The theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches has reached a point where it seems appropriate to consider expanding the opportunities for the faithful of any of the churches to receive the sacraments from one another when they are not available in their own community, Pope Francis said. “Based on the theological consensus […]

Pope Francis: ‘Significant’ number of US Catholics want to ‘gag’ Vatican II reforms

The United States contains a “significant” number of groups seeking to “gag” the reforms of the Catholic Church initiated by the Second Vatican Council, Pope Francis said in a new interview. “In the European Church I see more renewal in the spontaneous things that are emerging: movements, groups, new bishops who remember that there is […]

Cardinal Kasper warns German synodal way risks ‘breaking its own neck’

A theologian considered close to Pope Francis has warned that the German Synodal Way is at risk of “breaking its own neck” if it does not heed the objections raised by a growing number of bishops around the world. Cardinal Walter Kasper also said organisers were using a “lazy trick” that in effect constituted a […]

Half of Americans Rule Out Pentecostal Churches

Most Americans are open to a variety of denominations of Christian churches, including many people of other faiths or no faith at all. Americans have a wide range of opinions and impressions about Christian denominations, but most won’t rule out a church based on its denomination, according to a new study from Lifeway Research. From a […]

French Bishop Strips Seminarians of CassocK

The bishop of Toulouse has banned seminarians and deacons in his diocese from wearing cassocks because he does not want men in formation to “appear too clerical.” Bishop Guy de Kerimel wrote a letter to seminarians on Thursday noting that he had seen some of them wearing cassocks and surplices at a recent confirmation service in the diocesan […]

Eviction-facing Indian Catholics to fight Muslim charity’s claims

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica